I had so many photos to choose from this week and together they tell a story of courage, determination, hardship, motherhood, competition, predator and prey, war and the fight for survival, that I had a hard time selecting which images to share with you. So I apologise for the image overload.
The story starts with Lady Black Duck, who has one goal, to see her brood of chicks grow to adulthood.
When we arrived on the scene Lady Black Duck and her brood were quite relaxed, her chicks happily following behind her at their own pace.
She gathered her brood to her and they duly listened while she explained some of the finer points of dabbling.
With the lessons complete it was time to put all that knowledge into practice.
But then Lady Black Duck spotted something which caused her great concern.
A rival duck wanting to steal her brood from her!
Lady Black Duck shouted for her chicks to swim as fast as they could.
She then kicked water in her rivals face with forceful vigour.
Thinking herself successful in deterring her rival she called to her chicks to stay close.
However, unbeknown to her Lady Black Ducks rival was trying for a sneak chick-napping from the rear.
This time Lady Black Duck went for a full frontal assault chasing off her rival.
There was retaliation and repeated attacks.
Lady Black Duck was proud to see her chicks putting their new dabbling skills to work despite the kerfuffle.
The scuffle attracted the notice of Rex Raven, who's favourite meal is duckling
Lady Black Duck was so focused on sending her rival off that she didn't notice Rex Raven arriving on the scene.
All that noise could only mean one thing according the Seagull teachings; food! If there's noise there's food, if there's food that's where you want to be!
So in swooped Sally Seagull to see what was on offer for a snack.
Seeing as the skirmishes were not deterring Lady Black Duck's rival she called her chicks to her and they made a run for it.
Sally Seagull got her snack and she took it to land to eat at her leisure.
But Rex Raven is closed in to steal it away from her!
Ah, no he's isn't, he's just trying to dodge Willie who has a vendetta against Rex Raven. Sally's snack was safe after all.
Willie attacked Rex Raven with full force!
Diving and swooping at the nasty Raven.
Willie didn't care that Rex Raven was far bigger them him. That Raven is an egg thief!
He is most definitely not welcome.
Rex Raven soon ignored the little Willie wag-tail and went back to his duckling observations, hoping for a good opportunity to catch some lunch of his own.
Willie did not let up and was very distracting for Rex Raven, it was Willie's efforts that kept Lady Black Duck's brood safe during her battles with her rival.
Brave Willie returned to his outpost to survey the scene, planning his next attack.
As we departed the the saga continued and I hoped that Lady Black Duck prevailed against her rival and that Rex Raven would give up and search for lunch elsewhere.
What a beautiful collection of photos, I find birds so difficult to photo but fascinating to watch
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up
In Germany we lived near a lake and every spring I counted myself lucky to see the circle of life unfold before my eyes.
ReplyDeletethis is wonderful stella. i love the story. and i love willies. such darling brave little birds.
ReplyDeleteWillie's are incredible. Their eyebrows make me think of them as little samurai warriors.
DeleteYou have captured the detail of them going about their business so well
ReplyDeleteBrilliant narration...quite the drama there isn't there?! Great photos :)
ReplyDeleteEvery photo is so clear! Lovely shots =) #mysundayphoto
ReplyDeletesuch an exciting story! love the images!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos! These have to be some of the best duckling shots I've seen!
ReplyDeleteHope you've had a fantastic weekend.
/Steph
Beautiful, clear photos of some lovely birds. Your commentary told a story that was so easy to follow with the photos. Brilliant post.
ReplyDeleteNice clear photos and story, did they drive you quackers :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a quacktastic week :-)
Such a drama you've captured with your camera - great series!
ReplyDeletePlease come share at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/10/poor-little-birdie.html
Great photos taken, I love watching the birds.
ReplyDeletePlease stop by and share on http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wordless-wednesday-35/
What a fabulous story - all that is wonderful in life is there!
ReplyDeletea lovely selection of photographs and a great story
ReplyDeleteDeary me. I was`decidedly worried there for a moment. Great story telling. Will get my animal mad son to take a look!
ReplyDeleteDucks are so much fun to watch when they have little ones to look after. Very nice set of images.
ReplyDeleteThe story of life I guess, beautiful illustrated
ReplyDeleteMollyxxx
What a great illustration of birds in action :)
ReplyDeletethe ducks are so cute! can't resist them ;-)
ReplyDeletegreetings, Hilde
Great series of photos, and I love the story that goes with it!
ReplyDeleteThe ducklings are adorable!
ReplyDeletePhew - I am quite out of breath after reading this saga and it makes my attempts to bring up 2 boys seem so easy in comparison! Bon courage Mrs Black Duck and I look forward to seeing more of your life on #AnimalTales
ReplyDeleteYour photos make we want to get out there and play with my camera more. The story also reminded me of my father. We used to go to the park and feed the ducks stale bread we bought for 10 cents a loaf at the wonderbread store down the street. A seegull swooped down and snatched a baby duck once. My dad hurled a rock at it, hit it and the baby duck was dropped. Little bit of memory lane =)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post!! These are awesome photos and I love the story you created to go with them. I laughed and I awwwwwwwww'ed. So sweet!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing them with us at Photo Friday!